Too much sleaze, too many whitewashes

It comes to something when the chief guardian of standards in public life has to warn about the miserably low level of confidence in the probity of politicians.

It speaks volumes when he challenges the conduct of the Prime Minister himself.

Sir Alistair Graham's trenchant comments could hardly be more embarrassing for Tony Blair, who once promised to be "purer than pure". Yet who would argue they are not deserved?

Almost from the day he entered No 10, his claims to squeaky cleanliness have been suspect. From Ecclestone to the Hindujas and Mittal to Mandelson (twice), his record raises doubts.

Now there are further murky developments in the Tessa Jowell saga, with allegations that she failed to declare her husband's shares in a pub chain - this when she was deeply involved in Labour's plans for round-the-clock drinking.

Yet she has been "cleared" of any wrongdoing over her husband's labyrinthine financial affairs, after a risibly cursory inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary - just as other Ministers and Mr Blair have so often escaped without proper examination of their behaviour.

No wonder Sir Alistair wants independent inquiries into accusations of Ministerial wrongdoing. As he says: "the present system is demonstrably redundant and leads to a loss of public confidence and damage to the standing of the Government".

Indeed. Sir Alistair is entitled to feel "puzzled" - to use his own exquisitely understated word - as to why the Prime Minister hasn't acted on this issue, when the Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended independent investigations three years ago.

But then, perhaps it isn't such a mystery after all. Aren't open, rigorous inquiries the very last things Mr Blair wants, when under the present system of whitewashes he can get away with anything?

Ducking the blame

With a peerage, a gold-plated pension and praises from the Prime Minister ringing in his ears, Sir Nigel Crisp makes an enforced departure as chief executive of the NHS, leaving behind a system sunk in crisis, mismanagement and waste.

How glittering the prizes for failure can be in the public sector.

Despite the extra billions cascading into healthcare, NHS trusts are mired in debts that may reach £800million. Hospital wards are closing. Operations are being cancelled. The hundreds of staff made redundant in Cornwall yesterday for lack of cash reflect the worsening problems.

Yet while Sir Nigel is keen to "acknowledge my accountability" (as well he might, seeing how lavishly he is rewarded for taking the blame) doesn't the real fault lie with the politicians whose decisions made his job all but impossible?

As the OECD points out, torrents of cash can't by themselves solve the crisis. The NHS is too vast and bureaucratic to use the money effectively. Extra spending must be backed by serious reform.

Sadly, that challenge has always been ducked by New Labour.

So while there are certainly welcome improvements - with more doctors, more nurses and shorter waiting times - most of the cash goes on new contracts for consultants and GPs, myriad other awards, pensions and more managers.